System and method for handling open and close events in a mobile communication device

ABSTRACT

A method for handling open and close events in a wireless device is provided. The wireless device has a sensor coupled to a processor, the sensor providing an open signal to the processor indicating an open event when the wireless device is opened and providing a close signal to the processor indicating a close event when the wireless device is closed. The method comprises detecting one of the open event and the close event each time the open event or the close event occurs; recording the detected event and a time of the detected event with each event occurrence; monitoring for two recorded events within a predetermined time threshold; executing a first configured action if two events are recorded within the predetermined time threshold; monitoring for only a single recorded event within the predetermined time threshold; and executing a second configured action if only a single event is recorded within the predetermined time threshold.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to mobile communicationdevices, and more particularly to a system and method for handling openand close events for a mobile communication device.

BACKGROUND

Clamshell or flip-style mobile communication devices generally have abase and a hinged or sliding lid that can be closed over the base.Clamshell devices generally provide a user with a primary display insidethe lid or on the base that is visible when the device is open. Further,some clamshell devices have a secondary display on the outside of thelid that is visible when the device is closed. Typically, clamshellmobile communication devices perform a function in response to theopening or closing of the hinged lid. For example, most clamshellcellular telephone devices hang-up any telephone call that may be inprogress when the device is closed. However, some users like to playwith their clamshell telephones by repeatedly opening and closing thedevice in rapid succession. This can have an undesirable effect, such asinadvertently hanging-up a call in progress that the user did not wishto terminate. Further, the telephone is processing these successive openand close events and attempting to perform functions in response tothese events, which needlessly uses up computing resources on thedevice, such as processing and battery power. It would be desirable tohave a mobile communication device that does not waste power andprocessing resources in this way.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the drawings, which show by way of exampleembodiments of the present disclosure, and in which:

FIG. 1 shows in block diagram form a wireless device suitable forproviding notification of events in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 2 shows in block diagram form a communication system suitable forproviding the operating environment of the wireless device of FIG. 1 inaccordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 3 shows in block diagram form the contents of a memory of thewireless device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4A is a front view illustrating an embodiment of the wirelessdevice of FIG. 1 in a closed configuration;

FIG. 4B is a front view illustrating the wireless device of FIG. 4A inan opened configuration;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of handling open and closeevents in a wireless device in accordance with an embodiment; and

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of handling open and closeevents in a wireless device in accordance with another embodiment.

It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings, like featuresare identified by like reference numerals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In some aspects there is provided a method for handling open and closeevents in a wireless device. The wireless device has a sensor connectedto a processor. The sensor provides an open signal to the processorindicating an open event when the wireless device is opened andproviding a close signal to the processor indicating a close event whenthe wireless device is closed. The method comprises detecting one of theopen event and the close event each time the open event or the closeevent occurs; recording the detected event and a time of the detectedevent with each event occurrence; monitoring for two recorded eventswithin a predetermined time threshold; executing a first configuredaction if the two events are recorded within the predetermined timethreshold; monitoring for only a single recorded event within thepredetermined time threshold; and executing a second configured actionif only the single event is recorded within the predetermined timethreshold.

In some aspects there is provided a wireless device having an openedstate and a closed state. The wireless device comprises a processor forcontrolling operation of the wireless device, a sensor providing an opensignal to the processor indicating an open event when the wirelessdevice is opened and placed into the opened state and providing a closesignal to the processor indicating a close event when the wirelessdevice is closed and placed into the closed state, a first input devicecoupled to the processor for accepting an input, at least one displaydevice coupled to the processor for communicating an output to the user,a communications subsystem coupled to the processor for communicatingwith a communications network, a memory coupled to the processor, and astorage device coupled to the processor. The wireless device includes anopen/close event handling module resident in the memory for execution bythe processor. The open/close event handling module is configured todetect one of the open event and the close event each time the openevent or the close event occurs; record in the memory the detected eventand a time of the detected event with each event occurrence; monitor fortwo recorded events within a predetermined time threshold; execute afirst configured action if the two events are recorded within thepredetermined time threshold; monitor for a only single recorded eventwithin the predetermined time threshold; and execute a second configuredaction if only the single event is recorded within the predeterminedtime threshold.

In some aspects there is provided a method for handling open and closeevents in a wireless device. The wireless device has a sensor coupled toa processor. The sensor provides an open signal to the processorindicating an open event when the wireless device is opened and providesa close signal to the processor indicating a close event when thewireless device is closed. The method comprises detecting one of theclose event and the open event each time the open event or the closeevent occurs; starting a timer if one of the open event and the closeevent is detected and the timer is not running; resetting and stoppingthe timer if one of the open event and the close event is detected andthe timer is running; and executing a configured action if the timerexceeds a predetermined time threshold.

Reference is first made to FIG. 1, which shows a block diagramillustrating a wireless device 102 suitable for implementing a systemand method for handling open and close events in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure. It will be understood thatreferences to a wireless device in this disclosure may also refer to aclamshell or flip-style wireless device or to a clamshell or flip-stylemobile communication device. The teachings of this disclosure may beapplicable to any wireless device having a moveable or removable coverthat covers the main display and/or keypad, and is not limited toclamshell devices. Therefore, when the present description and claimsrefer to a flip-style mobile communication device or flip-style wirelessdevice, the intent is to include any mobile communication device thathas a main body portion or lower casing with a moveable or removablecover portion or lid. An example of such a wireless device having alower casing and lid is discussed below in connection with FIGS. 4A and4B. The wireless communication device 102 is intended to include, butnot be limited to, a wireless device having a lower casing where a lidslides over the lower casing from a first position to a second position,a wireless device having a lower casing where a lid is attached to thelower casing with a hinge mechanism, a wireless device having a lowercasing where a lid is rotatably connected to the lower casing, andcombinations thereof. For example, some wireless devices have a lowercasing with a lid, where the lid slides off of the lower casing to araised position and the lid is then configured to rotate in this raisedposition.

The wireless device 102 communicates through a wireless communicationnetwork 104. The wireless network 104 includes antennae, base stations,and supporting radio equipment as for supporting wireless communicationsbetween the wireless device 102 and other devices connected to wirelessnetwork 104. The wireless network 104 may be coupled to a wirelessnetwork gateway and to a wide area network, shown in FIG. 2.

In an embodiment, the wireless device 102 is a two-way mobilecommunication device having at least voice and data communicationcapabilities, including the capability to communicate with othercomputer systems. In an embodiment, the wireless device 102 is aclamshell handheld device. Depending on the functionality provided bythe wireless device 102, it may be referred to as a data messagingdevice, a two-way pager, a cellular telephone with data messagingcapabilities, a wireless Internet appliance, a data communication device(with or without telephony capabilities), a clamshell device, or aflip-phone. The wireless device 102 may communicate with any one of aplurality of fixed transceiver stations within its geographic coveragearea.

The wireless device 102 may incorporate a communication subsystem 112,which includes a receiver 114, a transmitter 116, and associatedcomponents, such as one or more antenna elements 118 and 120, localoscillators (LOs) 122, and a processing module such as a digital signalprocessor (DSP) 124. In an embodiment, the antenna elements 118 and 120may be embedded or internal to the wireless device 102. As will beapparent to those skilled in the field of communications, the particulardesign of the communication subsystem 112 depends on the wirelessnetwork 104 in which the wireless device 102 is intended to operate.

The wireless device 102 may send and receive communication signals overthe wireless network 104 after the required network registration oractivation procedures have been completed. Signals received by theantenna 118 through the wireless network 104 are input to the receiver114, which may perform such common receiver functions as signalamplification, frequency down conversion, filtering, channel selection,etc., as well as analog-to-digital (A/D) conversion. A/D conversion of areceived signal allows more complex communication functions such asdemodulation and decoding to be performed in the DSP 124. In a similarmanner, signals to be transmitted are processed, including modulationand encoding, for example, by the DSP 124. These DSP-processed signalsare input to the transmitter 116 for digital-to-analog (D/A) conversion,frequency up conversion, filtering, amplification, and transmission tothe wireless network 104 via the antenna 120. The DSP 124 not onlyprocesses communication signals, but also provides for receiver andtransmitter control. For example, the gains applied to communicationsignals in the receiver 114 and the transmitter 116 may be adaptivelycontrolled through automatic gain control algorithms implemented in theDSP 124.

Network access is associated with a subscriber or user of the wirelessdevice 102 via a memory module, such as a memory module 130, which maybe a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card for use in a GSM network or aUniversal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM) card for use in a UniversalMobile Telecommunication System (UMTS). The SIM card is inserted in orconnected to an interface 132 of the wireless device 102 in order tooperate in conjunction with the wireless network 104. Alternatively, thewireless device 102 may have an integrated identity module for use withsystems such as Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) systems.

The wireless device 102 also includes a battery interface 136 forreceiving one or more rechargeable batteries 138. The battery 138provides electrical power to at least some of the electrical circuitryin the wireless device 102, and the battery interface 136 provides amechanical and electrical connection for the battery 138. The batteryinterface 136 is coupled to a regulator (not shown) which provides powerV+ to the circuitry of the wireless device 102.

The wireless device 102 includes a microprocessor 140 which controls theoverall operation of the wireless device 102. Communication functions,including at least data and voice communications, are performed throughthe communication subsystem 112. The microprocessor 140 also interactswith additional device subsystems such as a primary display 142, anoptional secondary display 143, a flash memory 144, a random accessmemory (RAM) 146, a read-only memory (ROM) 148, auxiliary input/output(I/O) subsystems 150, a data port such as Universal Serial Bus (USB)port 152, a keyboard or keypad 154, a speaker or audio port 156 forconnecting to, for example a set of headphones or an earpiece, amicrophone 158, a clickable thumbwheel or thumbwheel 160, an open/closesensor 161, a short-range communications subsystem 162, and any otherdevice subsystems generally designated as 164. Some of the subsystemsshown in FIG. 1 perform communication-related functions, whereas othersubsystems may provide “resident” or on-device functions. Notably, somesubsystems, such as the keypad 154, the primary display 142, thesecondary display 143, and the clickable thumbwheel 160, for example,may be used for both communication-related functions, such as displayingnotifications or entering a text message for transmission over thewireless network 104, and executing device-resident functions such as aclock, a calculator or a task list. Operating system software used bythe microprocessor 140 is preferably stored in a persistent store suchas the flash memory 144, which may alternatively be the ROM 148 orsimilar storage element. Those skilled in the art will appreciate thatthe operating system, specific device applications, or parts thereof,may be temporarily loaded into a volatile store such as the RAM 146.

The microprocessor 140, in addition to its operating system functions,enables execution of software applications on the wireless device 102. Apredetermined set of applications that control basic device operations,including data and voice communication applications, will normally beinstalled on the wireless device 102 during or after manufacture. Thewireless device 102 may include a personal information manager (PIM)application having the ability to organize and manage data itemsrelating to a user such as, but not limited to, instant messaging,email, calendar events, voice mails, appointments, and task items. Oneor more memory stores may be available on the wireless device 102 tofacilitate storage of information, such as the flash memory 144, the RAM146, the ROM 148, the memory module 130, or other types of memorystorage devices or FLASH memory cards represented by the other devicesubsystems 164, such as Secure Digital (SD) cards or mini SD cards, etc.

The PIM and/or media applications have the ability to send and receivedata items via either the wireless network 104 or a link to a computersystem. The link to the computer system may be via the serial port 152or the short-range communications subsystem 162. In an embodiment, PIMand/or media data items are seamlessly combined, synchronized, andupdated via the wireless network 104, with the wireless device user'scorresponding data items stored and/or associated with a host computersystem thereby creating a mirrored or partially mirrored host computeron the wireless device 102 with respect to such items. This may beadvantageous where the host computer system is the wireless deviceuser's office computer system. Additional applications may also beloaded onto the wireless device 102 through the wireless network 104,the auxiliary I/O subsystem 150, the serial port 152, the short-rangecommunications subsystem 162, or any other suitable subsystem 164, andinstalled by a user in the RAM 146 or a non-volatile store such as theROM 148 for execution by the microprocessor 140. Such flexibility inapplication installation increases the functionality of the wirelessdevice 102 and may provide enhanced on-device functions,communication-related functions, or both. For example, securecommunication applications may enable electronic commerce functions andother such financial transactions to be performed using the wirelessdevice 102.

In a data communication mode, a received data signal representinginformation such as a text message, an email message, a media file to betransferred, or Web page download will be processed by the communicationsubsystem 112 and input to the microprocessor 140. The microprocessor140 will further process the signal for output to the primary display142, secondary display 143, or alternatively to the auxiliary I/O device150. A user of the wireless device 102 may also compose data items, suchas email messages, for example, using the keypad 154 and/or theclickable thumbwheel 160 in conjunction with the primary display 142 andpossibly the auxiliary I/O device 150. The keypad 154 maybe either acomplete alphanumeric keypad or telephone-type keypad. These composeditems may be transmitted through the communication subsystem 112 overthe wireless network 104 or via the short range communication subsystem162.

For voice communications, the overall operation of the wireless device102 is similar, except that the received signals would be output to thespeaker or audio port 156 and signals for transmission would begenerated by a transducer such as the microphone 158. Alternative voiceor audio I/O subsystems, such as a voice message recording subsystem,may also be implemented on the wireless device 102. Although voice oraudio signal output is typically accomplished primarily through thespeaker or audio port 156, the primary display 142 or the secondarydisplay 143 may also be used to provide an indication of the identity ofa calling party, duration of a voice call, or other voice call relatedinformation. Stereo headphones or an earpiece may also be used in placeof the speaker 156.

The USB port 152 is normally implemented in a personal digital assistant(PDA) type communication device for which synchronization with a user'scomputer is a desirable, albeit optional, component. The USB port 152enables a user to set preferences through an external device or softwareapplication and extends the capabilities of the wireless device 102 byproviding for information or software downloads to the wireless device102 other than through the wireless network 104. The alternate downloadpath may, for example, be used to load software or data files onto thewireless device 102 through a direct, reliable and trusted connection.

The short-range communications subsystem 162 is an additional optionalcomponent which provides for communication between the wireless device102 and different systems or devices, which need not necessarily besimilar devices. For example, the subsystem 162 may include an infrareddevice and associated circuits and components, or a wireless busprotocol compliant communication mechanism such as a Bluetooth™communication module to provide for communication with similarly-enabledsystems and devices (Bluetooth is a registered trademark of BluetoothSIG, Inc.). In another embodiment, the short-range communicationssubsystem 162 may be a wireless networking communications subsystem,conforming to IEEE 802.11 standards such as one or more of 802.11b,802.11g, and/or 802.11n.

Reference is next made to FIG. 2, which shows a communication system 200suitable for use with the wireless device 102 shown in FIG. 1. Thecommunication system 200 generally includes one or more wireless devices102 (only one of which is shown in FIG. 2) and the wireless network 104.The wireless network 104 may include a wireless Wide Area Network (WAN)202, a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) 204, and/or other interfaces206 (which may not necessarily be wireless).

Referring to FIG. 2, the wireless WAN 202 may be implemented as apacket-based cellular or mobile network that includes a number of basestations 208 (one of which is shown in FIG. 2) where each of the basestations 208 provides wireless Radio Frequency (RF) coverage to acorresponding area or cell. The wireless WAN 202 is typically operatedby a cellular network service provider that sells subscription packagesto users of the wireless devices 102. The wireless WAN 202 comprises anumber of different types of networks, for example, Mobitex RadioNetwork, DataTAC, GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication), GPRS(General Packet Radio System), TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access),CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), CDPD (Cellular Digital PacketData), iDEN (integrated Digital Enhanced Network) or various other thirdgeneration networks such as EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for GSMEvolution), UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications Systems), orEvolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO).

As shown in FIG. 2, the communications system 200 also includes awireless network gateway 210 and one or more network provider systems212. The wireless network gateway 210 provides translation and routingservices between the network provider system(s) 212 and the WAN 202,which facilitates communication between the wireless devices 102 andother devices (not shown) connected, directly or indirectly, to thenetwork provider system 212.

The WLAN 204 comprises a network which in some examples conforms to IEEE802.11 standards such as one or more of 802.11b, 802.11g, or 802.11n;however, other communications protocols may also be used for the WLAN204. The WLAN 204 includes one or more wireless RF Access Points (AP)214 (one of which is shown in FIG. 2) that collectively provide a WLANcoverage area. For the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, the WLAN 204 isoperated by an enterprise (for example, a business or university in abuilding or campus type environment) and the access points 214 areconnected to an access point (AP) interface 216. The AP interface 216provides translation and routing services between the access points 214and the network provider system 212 to facilitate communication betweentwo or more of the wireless devices 102 and other devices (e.g., such asdesktop computers) connected, directly or indirectly, to the networkprovider system 212. The AP interface 216 is implemented using acomputer, for example, a server running a suitable computer program orsoftware.

According to an embodiment, the other interfaces 206 may be implementedusing a physical interface indicated by reference 218. The physicalinterface 218 includes an Ethernet, Universal Serial Bus (USB),Firewire, or infrared (IR) connection implemented to exchangeinformation between the network provider system 212 and the wirelessdevice 102.

The network provider system 212 comprises a server or server modules ora number of servers or server modules which are typically located behinda firewall (not shown). The network provider system 212 may include anumber of modules including a mobile data delivery module 220. Variousmodules running on the network provider system 212 may be implemented asa number of services running on a single server or as a number ofinterconnected servers each running a software program to implement thefunctionality of the respective module. The network provider system 212provides access for the wireless devices 102, through either thewireless WAN 202, the WLAN 204, or the other connection 206 to thedevices connected, for example, through an enterprise network 224 (e.g.,an intranet), to the network provider system 212. In an embodiment, thedata delivery module 220 is implemented on a computer, such as thenetwork provider system 212.

The enterprise network 224 comprises a local area network, an intranet,the Internet, a direct connection, or combinations thereof. Theenterprise network 224 may comprise an intranet for a corporation orother type of organization. In at least some embodiments, the networkprovider system 212 is part of the enterprise network 224, and islocated behind a corporate firewall and connected to the wirelessnetwork gateway 210 through the Internet. A computer 222 (e.g., adesktop or laptop computer) belonging to the user of the wireless device102 is typically connected to the enterprise network 224. As describedearlier, the wireless device 102 can be temporarily and directlyconnected to the computer 222 using, for example, the USB port 152.Alternatively, the wireless device 102 may communicate with the computer222 using the communication subsystem 112 and the WAN 202 and/or theshort-range communications subsystem 162 and the WLAN 204.

As shown in FIG. 2, an application/content server 226 may be connectedto the enterprise network 224 and also to another network, for example aWide Area Network (WAN) 228. In some embodiments, an email server 232and/or the content server 226 form part of the enterprise network 224.The WAN 228 may further connect to other networks. The WAN 228 maycomprise or be configured with the Internet, a direct connection, a LAN,a wireless communication link, or any combination thereof. Contentproviders, such as Web servers, may be connected to the WAN 228, anexample of which is shown in FIG. 2 as an origin server 230.

According to an embodiment, the mobile data delivery module 220 providesconnectivity between the wireless WAN 202 and the WLAN 204 and the otherconnection 206 and devices and/or networks connected directly orindirectly to the network provider system 212. In an embodiment, theconnectivity provided may be Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) basedconnectivity providing an Internet based service connection to devicesconnected to the wireless WAN 202, the WLAN 204, or the other connection206 and devices and/or networks connected directly or indirectly to thenetwork provider system 212. The network 224, the application/contentserver 226, the WAN 228, and the origin server 230, are individuallyand/or collectively in various combinations a content source for thenetwork provider system 212. It will be appreciated that the systemshown in FIG. 2 comprises but one possible communication network orconfiguration of a multitude of possible configurations for use with thewireless devices 102.

Reference is next made to FIG. 3, which shows a block diagramillustrating a memory 300 of the wireless device 102. The memory 300 hasvarious software components for controlling the wireless device 102 andmay include, for example, the flash memory 144, the RAM 146, the ROM148, the memory module 130 and/or the other device subsystems 164. Inaccordance with an embodiment, the wireless device 102 is intended to bea multi-tasking clamshell mobile communication device for sending andreceiving data items, such as instant messages, for making and receivingvoice calls, and for creating calendar events and alerts. To provide auser-friendly environment to control the operation of the wirelessdevice 102, an operating system (OS) 302 resident on the wireless device102 provides a basic set of operations for supporting variousapplications typically operable through a graphical user interface (GUI)304, which may include a secondary GUI for display on the optionalsecondary display 143.

The OS 302 may include an open/close event handling module 308 forgenerating and/or handling events related to received open and closesignals generated by and received from the open/close sensor 161. Theopen/close sensor 161 may, in one example, be positioned in rotationalcontact with a hinge on the wireless device 102, or may be positionednear a surface interface where a rotating or sliding cover of thewireless device 102 contacts the main body of the wireless device 102when the cover is closed. The open/close sensor 161 may supply a signalto an input of the microprocessor 140. For example, the open/closesensor 161 may provide a square wave (i.e., digital “1”) signal of anyconfigurable duration each time the sensor 161 detects a transition froman opened state to a closed state or from a closed state to an openedstate. Alternatively, the open/close sensor 161 may provide either adigital “1” or “0” signal to the microprocessor 140 input when thewireless device 102 is in one state (e.g., digital “1” when the wirelessdevice 102 is open), and may provide the opposite digital “1” or “0”signal when the wireless device 102 is in the opposite state (e.g.,digital “0” when the wireless device 102 is closed). In this case, themicroprocessor 140 may perform rising or falling edge detection todetect when the open/close signal supplied by the sensor 161 changesstate. The open/close event handling module 308 manages the detection ofthe signals supplied by the open/close sensor 161 and performs theappropriate functions in response to these signals, which is describedin more detail below in connection with FIG. 5. Additionally, theopen/close event handling module 308 may provide information related tothese open and close events to other software modules, such as thesoftware modules 306, which may execute functions or actions in responseto these events.

The operating system 302 provides basic input/output system features toobtain input from the auxiliary I/O 150, the keypad 154, the clickablethumbwheel 160, the open/close sensor 161, and other input devices, andto facilitate output to the user via at least one of the primary display142 and the secondary display 143. The GUI 304 is typically a componentof the operating system 302. One or more software modules 306 formanaging communications or providing a personal digital assistant (PDA)or other functions may also be included. The memory 300 also includes anemail and calendar client, which may be combined in, for example, a PIMapplication having email-based calendaring and scheduling functions.Typically, the PIM is installed as one of the software modules 306. Theopen/close event handling module 308 may be included among the softwaremodules 306. Thus, the wireless device 102 includes computer executableprogrammed instructions for directing the wireless device 102 toimplement various applications. The programmed instructions may beembodied in the one or more software modules 306 resident in the memory300 of the wireless device 102. Alternatively, the programmedinstructions may be tangibly embodied on a computer readable medium(such as a DVD, CD, floppy disk or other storage media) which may beused for transporting the programmed instructions to the memory 300 ofthe wireless device 102. Alternatively, the programmed instructions maybe embedded in a computer-readable, signal-bearing medium that isuploaded to the wireless network 104 by a vendor or supplier of theprogrammed instructions, and this signal-bearing medium may bedownloaded through one or more of the interfaces 112, 150, 152, 162 tothe wireless device 102 from, for example, the wireless network 104 byend users.

Reference is next made to FIG. 4A, which shows a front view of anembodiment of a wireless device 102 in a closed configuration. In theshown embodiment, the wireless device 102 is a clamshell mobilecommunication device. As mentioned above, the wireless device 102 may bea data and/or voice-enabled handheld device. The wireless device 102includes the primary display 142 that is visible when the wirelessdevice 102 is in an opened configuration (FIG. 4B), and the optionalsecondary display 143 that is visible when the wireless device 102 is ina closed configuration. The term visible as used above is meant to saythat the display may be viewable by the user looking at the front of thewireless device 102; however, the display may or may not be active ordisplaying the GUI 304 even when the display is not visible to the user.The primary display 142 may be off when the wireless device 102 is inthe closed configuration in order to save battery power. Similarly, thesecondary display 143 may be off when the wireless device 102 is in theopened configuration in order to save battery power, or the secondarydisplay 143 may show a default image such as a background or a clockwhen the wireless device 102 is in the opened configuration. The frontview of the closed wireless device 102 shows a lid 401, having theoptional secondary display 143. The lid 401 may also include secondarynavigation tools such as a selection button 161 or a secondary trackball161 b, and a camera lens 403. Although the selection button 161 may beused as a navigation tool for the secondary display 143 when thewireless device 102 is in the closed configuration, the selection button161 may provide other functions, for example volume or camera control,when the wireless device 102 is in an opened configuration. These otherfunctions for the selection button 161 may be disabled when the wirelessdevice 102 is in the closed configuration, to prevent unintentionalactivity.

Reference is next made to FIG. 4B, which shows a front view of thewireless device 102 of FIG. 4A in an opened configuration. The wirelessdevice 102 includes a lower casing 402, the USB port 152, the primarydisplay 142, which displays the GUI 304, the keypad 154, the clickablethumbwheel 160 or other device for navigation such as a trackball 160 b,one or more input buttons 404 (e.g., select, cancel, talk buttons),signal inputs/outputs 406 (e.g., power connector input, microphone,speaker, data interface input, etc.), and an audio port 407. Althoughthe wireless device 102 is shown with the primary display 142 being onthe inside of the lid 401, the primary display 142 may also be on thelower casing 402 or in any other suitable location. Although thewireless device 102 is shown as having a selection button 161, theclickable thumbwheel 160 may be used instead, and the selection button161 will be understood to apply equally to the clickable thumbwheel 160.Internally, the wireless device 102 includes one or more circuit boards(not shown), the microprocessor 140 (FIG. 1), the memory 300 (FIG. 3),the battery 138 (FIG. 1), the antennae 118, 120 (FIG. 1), etc., whichmay all be coupled to the signal inputs/outputs 406, the keypad 154, theprimary display 142, the secondary display 143, the clickable thumbwheel160, etc.

The microprocessor 140 is typically coupled to one or more input devices(e.g., the buttons 404, the keypad 154, the clickable thumbwheel 160,the open/close sensor 161) for receiving user commands, selections orqueries, and the primary display 142 and the secondary display 143 fordisplaying the results of these commands or queries. For example, userqueries may be transformed into a combination of commands for producingone or more tables of output data which may be incorporated in one ormore display pages for presentation to the user. In another example,user selections may be transformed into a command for displaying apreview of the selection on the primary display 142 or the secondarydisplay 143. The microprocessor 140 is also coupled to the memory 300.

A user may interact with the wireless device 102 and its softwaremodules 306 using the GUI 304. The GUI 304 is controlled by theoperating system 302 (FIG. 3) and provides a display format providinginformation to the user, or enabling the user to choose commands,execute application programs, manage computer files, and perform otherfunctions by selecting pictorial representations (i.e., icons), orselecting items from a menu through the use of an input or pointingdevice such as the clickable thumbwheel 160 or the keypad 154.Generally, the GUI 304 is used to convey information and receivecommands from users and includes a variety of GUI objects or controlsincluding icons, toolbars, drop-down menus, pop-up menus, text, dialogboxes, buttons, etc. A user typically interacts with the GUI 304presented on the display 142 by using an input or pointing device toposition a pointer or cursor 408 over an object 410 (i.e., “pointing” atthe object) and by “clicking” on the object 410 (e.g., by depressing thethumbwheel 160 or a button on the keyboard 154, etc.). This is oftenreferred to as a point-and-click or selection operation. Typically, theobject 410 may be highlighted (e.g., shaded) when it is selected orpointed at by the pointer or cursor 408 to indicate that the object 410is selectable.

Typically, a GUI-based system presents application, status, and otherinformation to the user on the primary display 142 and the secondarydisplay 143. The GUI 304 may provide for a full user interface on theprimary display 142 and may provide a condensed or simplified userinterface on the secondary display 143. For example, the GUI 304 mayprovide a window 412, which is a display area shown within the primarydisplay 142, typically rectangular, in which a user may view anapplication or document. The window 412 may be open, closed, displayedfull screen, reduced to an icon, increased or reduced in size, or movedto different areas of the display 142. Multiple windows 412 may bedisplayed simultaneously. For example, the windows 412 may be displayedwithin other windows, overlapped with other windows, or tiled within thedisplay area.

The GUI 304 may provide for simplified user interaction on the secondarydisplay 143 when the wireless device 102 is closed. For example, the GUI304 may provide status information, such as a battery status 414, butmay not provide for full applications to be displayed. An eventnotification 416 may also be presented, alerting the user to a new orunacknowledged event, such as an incoming email, an incoming textmessage, an incoming phone call, an incoming multi-media message (MMS),an incoming instant message (IM), a voice mail notification, a taskreminder, an upcoming calendar event, or an alarm event. The user mayselect an event notification 416 using the selection button 161.Additional information may be presented on the secondary display 143,such as the current time, or other background icons.

Reference is next made to FIG. 5, which shows a method 500 for handlingopen and close events for a mobile communication device in accordancewith one embodiment. The method begins at a starting point 502, forexample when the user first powers up the wireless device 102. At thispoint, the open/close event record 310 (FIG. 3) may be refreshed,meaning that if any data remains saved from when the wireless device 102was previously powered up, the data is deleted. The method 500 thenproceeds to a block 504, where the method 500 awaits an open or closeevent to occur. For example, the processor 140 (FIG. 1) may execute alistener that runs on the processor 140 and monitors the input portcoupled to the open/close sensor 161 and the listener may monitor forrising and/or falling edges of the signal generated by the sensor 161.If an open or close event is detected, the method proceeds to a block506 where the occurrence of the event and the time of the event arerecorded, for example in the event record 310. Next, the method 500proceeds to a block 508, where the event record is checked to see if twoevents have been recorded within a predetermined time threshold.

The predetermined time threshold may be set by the user of the wirelessdevice 102 in advance and represents a window of time during which apair of successive open and close events should be dismissed. Forexample, a user may desire that if he closes and subsequently opens hiswireless device 102 within five hundred milliseconds, any action thatwould normally be associated with the close event and/or the open event,such as the hanging up of a telephone call in progress, or thesuspension of the display 142 to a power saving state and the subsequentre-illumination of the display upon re-opening, is foregone. The timethreshold may also have a default preset value, in the event that theuser does not set this setting. Alternatively, the time threshold may behard coded in the wireless device 102 and the user may not configure thetime threshold setting. In one example, the default preset value may befifty or even five milliseconds. Hence, in this example, if twosubsequent open and close events were recorded in the event record 310within five hundred milliseconds, the method 500 proceeds to a block 510where the two subsequent events are cancelled so that the wirelessdevice 102 will take no action in response to either of these events,and the cancellation is recorded in the event record 310. Alternativelyor additionally, the user may have specifically configured the wirelessdevice 102 to perform some specific action in response to the two eventsoccurring within the time threshold, and this action may be executed bythe processor 140 at the block 510.

For example, if the wireless device 102 is currently providing the userwith a user notification, such as an audible or vibratory alarmindicating that a telephone call is arriving, and if the user opens andsubsequently closes the wireless device 102 within five hundredmilliseconds, in addition to dismissing the two successive open andclose events with respect to any power saving (e.g., awakening)functions, the wireless device 102 may further silence the alarm andimmediately send the calling person to the user's voicemail. Further,the block 510 may provide for optional user configurable advancedactions, such as where successive open and close signals are generatedby the sensor 161 within a given time frame. For example, if thewireless device 102 is opened and closed three times within five hundredmilliseconds, the wireless device 102 may power off. After the block 510is complete, the method returns to the block 504. If it is determined atthe block 508 that two events were not recorded within the timethreshold (e.g., either no previous event was recorded before thecurrently recorded event or the time lapse in between the currentlyrecorded event and the previously recorded event is larger than the timethreshold), then the method returns to the block 504.

While the listener is operative at the block 504, the method 500 mayalso be monitoring for the passing of the time threshold. This may bethe same time threshold discussed in connection with the block 508. Forexample, if only one close or open event was recorded at the block 508and the time threshold subsequently elapses, the method 500 executes anevent or function in response to that one open or close event. As such,if the time threshold has elapsed, as determined by a block 512, themethod 500 proceeds to a block 514 where the event record 310 isexamined to determine if only a single event had been previouslyrecorded and if the time threshold elapsed after the recording of thatevent. If this is the case, then a configured action is executed at theblock 516. For example, if the user of the wireless device 102 had beenon a telephone call and closed the wireless device 102 and left itclosed for longer than the time threshold (e.g., for more than fivehundred milliseconds), the telephone call may be terminated and thedisplay 142 may be put into power saving mode. In another example, ifthe user of the wireless device removed the device from his pocket andopened the device and left it open for more than the time threshold(e.g., five hundred milliseconds), the display 142 may be re-illuminatedin a full intensity mode so that the user can see the display 142. Afterthe configured action is executed at the block 516, the method 500returns to the block 504. If it was determined at the block 514 that noopen or close event was recently recorded within the time threshold, themethod 500 simply returns to the block 504.

Reference is next made to FIG. 6, which shows a simplified method 600for handling open and close events for a mobile communication device inaccordance with another embodiment. The method 600 may be implementedusing a timer that waits for a predetermined time threshold to elapseand, in one embodiment, does not use the event record 310. However, theevent record 310 may be used in a similar manner as described inconnection with FIG. 5, if the user wishes to configure advanced actions(e.g., configure actions for multiple open/close events). The methodbegins at a starting point 602, for example when the user first powersup the wireless device 102. At this point, the open/close event record310 (FIG. 3) may be refreshed, if it is used, meaning that if any dataremains saved from when the wireless device 102 was previously poweredup, the data is deleted. Additionally, the timer may be reset andstopped.

The predetermined time threshold may be set by the user of the wirelessdevice 102 in advance and represents the amount of time during whichpaired open and close events should be dismissed. For example, a usermay desire that if he closes and subsequently opens his wireless device102 within fifty milliseconds, any action that would normally beassociated with the close event and/or the open event, such as thehanging up of a telephone call in progress, or the suspension of thedisplay 142 to a power saving state and the subsequent re-illuminationof the display upon opening, is foregone. The time threshold may alsohave a default preset value, in the event that the user does not setthis setting. Alternatively, the time threshold may be hard coded in thewireless device 102 and the user may not configure the time thresholdsetting. In one example, the default preset value may be five hundredmilliseconds. Hence, in this example, if two subsequent open and closeevents occurred within five hundred milliseconds, the method 600 takesno action in response to this because the successive events merelyresult in the starting and subsequent stopping and resetting of a timerat blocks 608 and 610, described below.

The method 600 proceeds to a block 604, where the method 600 waits foreither an open or close event to occur or the timer threshold to elapse.The timer threshold will only elapse if the timer had been previouslystarted at a block 610, as will be described below. The processor 140(FIG. 1) may execute a listener that runs on the input port coupled tothe open/close sensor 161 and the listener may monitor for rising and/orfalling edges of the signal generated by the sensor 161. If an open orclose event is detected, the method proceeds to a block 606 to determineif the timer is running. If the timer is running at the block 606, thetimer is reset and stopped at the block 608. If the timer is not runningat the block 606, the timer is started at the block 610. Aftercompletion of either blocks 608 or 610, the method 600 returns to theblock 604. If at the block 604, the timer threshold elapses before afurther open/close event is detected, a preconfigured action is executedat a block 612. The preconfigured action is related to whether an openor close event was previously detected at the block 604 before the timerwas started at the block 610. For example, if the user of the wirelessdevice 102 had been on a telephone call and closed the wireless device102 and left it closed (e.g., for more than five hundred milliseconds),the telephone call may be terminated and the display 142 may be put intopower saving mode. In another example, if the user of the wirelessdevice removed the device from his pocket and opened the device and leftit open for more than five hundred milliseconds, the display 142 may bere-illuminated in a full intensity mode so that the user can see thedisplay 142.

Depending on the configuration options chosen by the user of thewireless device 102, the methods 500 and 600 may have a number ofresults. In one example, the methods 500 and 600 reduce the processingperformed by the wireless device 102 because successive open and/orclose events that occur within the time threshold do not triggersignificant actions that would normally occur, such as the suspending ofthe wireless device 102 and/or the display 142 to a power saving stateand subsequently returning the wireless device 102 and/or the display142 to a normal, non-power saving state, within a short time period(e.g., within the time threshold). This may also save the user of thewireless device 102 from the consequences of accidentally opening orclosing the wireless device 102 if the user reverts his action veryquickly. For example, if the user is on a phone call and accidentally orinadvertently closes the phone, the call may not be terminated if theuser quickly reopens the wireless device 102. In one example, thisserves to filter out unproductive open/close signals generated by theopen/close sensor 161, the unproductive signals being two separatesuccessive signals that occur within the specified threshold.

While the blocks of the methods 500 and 600 are shown as occurring in aparticular order, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the artthat many of the blocks are interchangeable and may occur in differentorders than that shown without materially affecting the end results ofthe methods 500 and 600. Additionally, while open/close event handlingis described as principally occurring within the open/close eventhandling module 308, it will be understood by those skilled in the artthat a similar module to the open/close event handling module 308 may beimplemented as part of the other software modules on the wirelessdevice, or each software application module may have its own eventnotification handling sub-module to handle open/close events relating tothat application.

While the present disclosure refers to the use of a clickable thumbwheel160, a trackball 160 b, a selection button 161, a secondary trackball161 b, a keyboard 154, an input device, or similar navigation and inputmechanisms for navigation on a wireless device 102, it will beappreciated by those skilled in the art that navigation, input or bothmay be provided by the use of a touchscreen display. The primary display142, secondary display 143 or both may be a touchscreen display.Navigation or input on a touchscreen display may be by contacting thedisplay directly with fingers, or by using a stylus or a similarpointing device.

While the present disclosure is primarily described as a method, aperson of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the presentdisclosure is also directed to an apparatus for carrying out thedisclosed method and including apparatus parts for performing eachdescribed method block, be it by way of hardware components, a computerprogrammed by appropriate software to enable the practice of thedisclosed method, by any combination of the two, or in any other manner.Moreover, an article of manufacture for use with the apparatus, such asa pre-recorded storage device or other similar computer readable mediumincluding program instructions recorded thereon, or a computer datasignal carrying computer readable program instructions may direct anapparatus to facilitate the practice of the disclosed method. It isunderstood that such apparatus, articles of manufacture, and computerdata signals also come within the scope of the present disclosure.

The embodiments of the present disclosure described above are intendedto be examples only. Those of skill in the art may effect alterations,modifications and variations to the particular embodiments withoutdeparting from the intended scope of the present disclosure. Inparticular, selected features from one or more of the above-describedembodiments may be combined to create alternative embodiments notexplicitly described, features suitable for such combinations beingreadily apparent to persons skilled in the art. The subject matterdescribed herein in the recited claims intends to cover and embrace allsuitable changes in technology.

1. A method for handling open and close events in a wireless device, thewireless device having a sensor connected to a processor, the sensorproviding an open signal to the processor indicating an open event whenthe wireless device is opened and providing a close signal to theprocessor indicating a close event when the wireless device is closed,the method comprising: detecting one of the open event and the closeevent each time the open event or the close event occurs; recording thedetected event and a time of the detected event with each eventoccurrence; monitoring for two recorded events within a predeterminedtime threshold; executing a first configured action if the two eventsare recorded within the predetermined time threshold; monitoring foronly a single recorded event within the predetermined time threshold;and executing a second configured action if only the single event isrecorded within the predetermined time threshold.
 2. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the wireless device is a flip-stylewireless device selected from the group consisting of a wireless devicehaving a lower casing with a moveable lid, a wireless device having alower casing and a lid where the lid slides over the lower casing from afirst position to a second position, a wireless device having a lowercasing and a lid where the lid is attached to the lower casing with ahinge mechanism, a wireless device having a lower casing and a lid wherethe lid is rotatably connected to the lower casing, and a wirelessdevice having a lower casing and a lid, where the lid slides off of thelower casing from a first position to a second position with the lidbeing configured to rotate in the second position.
 3. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the first configured action includestaking no action in response to the two recorded events occurring withinthe predetermined time threshold.
 4. The method according to claim 3,further including canceling the recording of the two recorded events byperforming an action selected from the group consisting of deleting therecordings of the two events and further recording the two events ascancelled.
 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the predeterminedtime threshold is five milliseconds or less.
 6. The method according toclaim 1, wherein the predetermined time threshold is five hundredmilliseconds or less.
 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein thesecond configured action includes an action associated with the recordedevent.
 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the second configuredaction includes placing a display of the wireless device into a powersaving mode in response to the recorded event being the close event. 9.The method according to claim 7, wherein the second configured actionincludes bringing a display of the wireless device out of a power savingmode in response to the recorded event being the open event.
 10. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein software running on the wirelessdevice receives the recording of the two events and performs an actionin response to the two recorded events, the action including thedisabling of user notifications.
 11. A wireless device having an openedstate and a closed state, the wireless device comprising: a processorfor controlling operation of the wireless device; a sensor providing anopen signal to the processor indicating an open event when the wirelessdevice is opened and placed into the opened state and providing a closesignal to the processor indicating a close event when the wirelessdevice is closed and placed into the closed state; a first input devicecoupled to the processor for accepting an input; at least one displaydevice coupled to the processor for communicating an output to the user;a communications subsystem coupled to the processor for communicatingwith a communications network; a memory coupled to the processor; and astorage device coupled to the processor; the wireless device includingan open/close event handling module resident in the memory for executionby the processor, the open/close event handling module being configuredto: detect one of the open event and the close event each time the openevent or the close event occurs; record in the memory the detected eventand a time of the detected event with each event occurrence; monitor fortwo recorded events within a predetermined time threshold; execute afirst configured action if the two events are recorded within thepredetermined time threshold; monitor for a only single recorded eventwithin the predetermined time threshold; and execute a second configuredaction if only the single event is recorded within the predeterminedtime threshold.
 12. The wireless device according to claim 11, whereinthe wireless device is a flip-style wireless device selected from thegroup consisting of a wireless device having a lower casing with amoveable lid, a wireless device having a lower casing and a lid wherethe lid slides over the lower casing from a first position to a secondposition, a wireless device having a lower casing and a lid where thelid is attached to the lower casing with a hinge mechanism, a wirelessdevice having a lower casing and a lid where the lid is rotatablyconnected to the lower casing, and a wireless device having a lowercasing and a lid, where the lid slides off of the lower casing from afirst position to a second position with the lid being configured torotate in the second position.
 13. The wireless device according toclaim 11, wherein the first configured action includes taking no actionin response to the two recorded events occurring within thepredetermined time threshold.
 14. The wireless device according to claim13, further including canceling the recording of the two events byperforming an action selected from the group consisting of deleting therecordings of the two events and further recording the two events ascancelled.
 15. The wireless device according to claim 11, wherein thepredetermined time threshold is five milliseconds or less.
 16. Thewireless device according to claim 11, wherein the predetermined timethreshold is five hundred milliseconds or less.
 17. The wireless deviceaccording to claim 11, wherein the second configured action includes anaction associated with the recorded event.
 18. The wireless deviceaccording to claim 17, wherein the second configured action includesplacing the display device of the wireless device into a power savingmode in response to the recorded event being the close event.
 19. Thewireless device according to claim 17, wherein the second configuredaction includes bringing the display device of the wireless device outof a power saving mode in response to the recorded event being the openevent.
 20. The wireless device according to claim 11, wherein softwarerunning on the wireless device receives the recording of the two eventsand performs an action in response to the two recorded events, theaction including disabling of user notifications.
 21. A method forhandling open and close events in a wireless device, the wireless devicehaving a sensor coupled to a processor, the sensor providing an opensignal to the processor indicating an open event when the wirelessdevice is opened and providing a close signal to the processorindicating a close event when the wireless device is closed, the methodcomprising: detecting one of the close event and the open event eachtime the open event or the close event occurs; starting a timer if oneof the open event and the close event is detected and the timer is notrunning; resetting and stopping the timer if one of the open event andthe close event is detected and the timer is running; and executing aconfigured action if the timer exceeds a predetermined time threshold.22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the wireless device is aflip-style wireless device selected from the group consisting of awireless device having a lower casing with a moveable lid, a wirelessdevice having a lower casing and a lid where the lid slides over thelower casing from a first position to a second position, a wirelessdevice having a lower casing and a lid where the lid is attached to thelower casing with a hinge mechanism, a wireless device having a lowercasing and a lid where the lid is rotatably connected to the lowercasing, and a wireless device having a lower casing and a lid, where thelid slides off of the lower casing from a first position to a secondposition with the lid being configured to rotate in the second position.23. The method according to claim 21, wherein the predetermined timethreshold is selected from the group consisting of five milliseconds orless and five hundred milliseconds or less.
 24. The method according toclaim 21, wherein the configured action includes an action associatedwith the last detected event.
 25. The method according to claim 21,wherein the configured action includes placing a display of the wirelessdevice into a power saving mode when the last detected event is theclose event and bringing a display of the wireless device out of a powersaving mode when the last detected event is the open event.